Tejas Mark-1A takes maiden flight today; Defence Minister Rajnath Singh present

The indigenous Tejas LCA Mark 1A will fly for the first time today: India's indigenous fighter aircraft, the Tejas Mk-1A, is scheduled to take its maiden flight from Nashik on Friday. The flight will take place from Hindustan Aeronautics Limited's (HAL) Nashik plant and will be witnessed by Defense Minister Rajnath Singh himself. This flight will mark another historic milestone in India's indigenous defense manufacturing.

HAL's Third Production Line to Be Inaugurated Today

HAL's third production line will also be inaugurated on this occasion. This new unit in Nashik will ensure faster delivery of Tejas Mk-1A fighter aircraft to the Indian Air Force. The plant's production capacity is currently eight aircraft per year, which can be increased to ten aircraft annually.

Aim to Complete the Delivery of 180 Aircraft on Schedule

This new line will help HAL meet the 180 LCA Mark-1A aircraft ordered by the Air Force by 2032-33. Recently, the Ministry of Defense signed a contract worth ₹62,370 crore with HAL for the delivery of 97 Tejas Mk-1A jets (68 single-seater and 29 twin-seater trainer versions).

Production Accelerating, Engine Supply Continues

According to HAL officials, production of the LCA Mk-1A is now progressing rapidly. The company has received four GE-404 engines from US manufacturer General Electric and expects to receive a total of 12 engines by the end of this financial year.

Equipped with State-of-the-Art Technology and Weapons

Tejas MK-1A is equipped with advanced avionics, modern radar systems, and electronic warfare equipment. This aircraft can fly at a speed of more than 2,200 kilometers per hour and is capable of launching many indigenous weapons along with missiles like BrahMos.

More than 65 percent of the parts used in this fighter aircraft are made in India, making it a big step towards the country's self-reliance.

Tejas to replace MiG-21

The first fleet of Tejas MK-1A is likely to be deployed at the Bikaner air base in Rajasthan. These aircraft will replace the Indian Air Force's aging MiG-21 fighter aircraft, which were retired on September 26 after more than six decades of service.